HB 26-1290

House Bill 26-1290 in Colorado expands protection for medical care providers by including anyone performing a medical function under the definition of "emergency medical care provider" when it comes to assault offenses. The bill also changes the requirement for second-degree assault from intentionally causing bodily injury to knowingly causing it, making it easier to charge someone with this crime. Additionally, the bill clarifies that strangulation can be considered an aggravated form of assault if a deadly weapon is used, including body parts, and imposes stricter sentencing for repeat offenders who have previously been convicted of similar offenses. Since the status of the bill is "signed," it has become law and is now enforceable by the state's legal system.

Official Summary

The bill expands the definition of 'emergency medical care provider' for the purposes of assault offenses to include providers who are performing any function related to medical care.      Under current law, second degree assault by preventing certain public servants from performing a lawful duty requires intentionally causing bodily injury to another person. The bill changes the requirement to knowingly causing bodily injury to another person.      The bill clarifies that second degree assault by strangulation by means of a deadly weapon, including a person's body part, may be charged The bill requires a court to sentence a defendant convicted of assault by strangulation in an enhanced range as a crime of violence subject to mandatory incarceration if the defendant has previously been convicted of second degree assault by strangulation.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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